Astros To Sign Cesar Izturis

The Astros have agreed to a minor league deal with infielder Cesar Izturis, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter). Izturis, who is represented by the Legacy Agency, will receive an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Izturis spent the 2013 season with Cincinnati, where he batted .209/.259/.271 in 142 plate appearances. A well-regarded defensive shortstop, Izturis posted a +4.8 UZR/150 and was worth +4 runs, according to The Fielding Bible's Defensive Runs Saved metric. Heyman notes that he has a good chance of making the Astros' roster as a utility infielder out of Spring Training.

Barmes is a better defender at SS and they produce about the same offense, money wise Izturis is a bit better deal but Barmes at 1 year 2 Million is not a bad deal. Pittsburgh relied on a lot of group balls last year so that added defense was probably worth the added cost to them.